Gina Bakey has always enjoyed visiting new places. She loves seeing how excited people get when they travel to somewhere new or return to a beloved place. One of her favorite places to go is Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida.
When Bakey found an online bachelor’s degree program at Penn State that combined her interests, she knew she was in the right place.
“I want to interact with guests and help them with their experiences,” Bakey said. “Interacting with guests gives me the opportunity to engage with people from all over the world.”
Bakey will graduate in May 2025 with the Penn State degree she earned online through Penn State World Campus. After she crosses the stage at commencement, Bakey will return to Disney World — this time as an employee, fulfilling a dream and years of work.
She said her course work, projects, and real-world experiences from her degree in recreation, park, and tourism management have prepared her for a career in the tourism and travel industry.
Creating her Penn State experience
Bakey grew up a Penn State fan, and the love for her Nittany Lions grew when her brother enrolled at Penn State University Park. She wanted to be able to get her own Penn State education, which wasn't possible at the time.
“I loved visiting him. Toward the end of his journey at Penn State, I realized I wanted that same journey,” she said. “But because I was working full-time, there was no way I could drop everything and go up to the main campus.”
Bakey found Penn State World Campus and, in spring 2020, set out on her own Penn State journey. At the time, she was working in a retirement community and wanted to pursue social work. After her first year of course work, she decided it was not for her.
She began looking at other majors and picked recreation, park, and tourism management. It combined her passions, and she knew it was the perfect fit.
“I love to travel, interact with people, and have fun,” she said. “It had my name written all over it.”
Building her knowledge and skillset
The Bachelor of Science in Recreation, Park, and Tourism Management, a 120-credit program offered online in partnership with the Penn State College of Health and Human Development, aims to show learners how to support and develop opportunities for recreation and tourism management that benefit the economy, environment, and well-being of people and communities. Students learn and apply social and behavioral theories while developing managerial and technical skills.
Bakey said the curriculum shows the depth of what it takes to be successful working in the tourism industry.
“As someone who travels, you don’t realize the behind-the-scenes, so it was very interesting to learn,” she said.
Bakey said a highlight of her academic experience came from a project in the Recreation Facilities Planning and Management course. Students learned about travel trends and challenges that come with the tourism industry, including safety, guest experience, and sustainability.
Another assignment she highlighted was one that teaches students to prepare to overcome potential challenges in the tourism industry while maintaining positive experiences for guests. The project prompted students to find an attraction or area that was struggling or shut down. Bakey selected a closed portion of Disney World known as “Discovery Island.”
Bakey researched the former attraction and the current state of the land, and she created plans to revamp the area into a new place for visitors to gather.
“I made it into a ‘Peter Pan Adventure’ where guests could do a scavenger hunt, take photos, and other activities,” Bakey said. “That project and the course overall really got me excited for the major and to potentially work in Disney World.”
Bakey took her knowledge this semester to an oceanside resort in South Carolina, where she has been working as an intern and earning credits toward her degree. She plans and facilitates programs at a recreation center at Fripp Island Resort. Bakey has found ways to engage visitors, including overcoming challenges that come with the off-season.
“It’s a really fun place to work and learn at the same time,” she said.
Through her internship, Bakey gained experience working in the industry and spent time on a special project — she revamped the island’s staff housing, and it was graded by her agency supervisor.
Developing leadership skills and making connections
Outside of her studies, Bakey has fully immersed herself in the World Campus and Penn State student communities.
Bakey is involved in many World Campus student clubs, attended the University’s Summer Leadership Conference, and participated in Penn State Homecoming. Those experiences helped build her confidence.
“I wanted to step out of my comfort zone and build those leadership skills,” she said.
Bakey also has been paying it forward to the next generation of World Campus students. She is a student ambassador, helping shape her peers’ experiences through engagement, and a peer guide mentor through the Roz and Gene Chaiken Center for Student Success at Penn State World Campus.
The Peer Guide Program connects first-year online learners with a student mentor who shares advice and resources on student engagement opportunities, financial aid, and scholarships. Bakey has mentored about 150 students each semester since starting in spring 2024.
“This role has given me the chance to give back by supporting first-semester students who are in the same position I was learning how to balance course work with everyday life and connecting with other students who are on the same journey,” Bakey said.
Students interested in the Peer Guide Program can reach out to [email protected] to learn more.
Living her dream of making magic
Commencement will mark the end of her Penn State journey and the beginning of fulfilling her dream career path.
With her family cheering her on, Bakey will graduate in May at Penn State University Park alongside her peers from the University Park campus.
After graduation, she will trade her graduation cap for a pair of Mickey Mouse ears. Bakey was accepted to the Disney College Program, which gives college students and graduates the opportunity to work for the park while learning about leadership, storytelling, hospitality, and more.
“I’m excited to be able to create unforgettable guest experiences at the most magical place on Earth,” Bakey said.
She hopes the experience will move her closer to earning a full-time position with Disney.
A Penn State degree online
Penn State World Campus has been offering a Penn State education online for more than 25 years and has a comprehensive selection of more than 200 degrees and certificates now available.
Learn more about the Bachelor of Science in Recreation, Park, and Tourism Management offered online through Penn State World Campus.
